During a WNBA game between the Seattle Storm and the Indiana Fever, several fans voiced opposition to transgender athletes participating in women's sports, leading to confrontations with other attendees. The incident occurred during the July 30 game in Seattle, where young fans holding signs supporting WNBA player Sophie Cunningham's stance on the issue were reportedly subjected to abuse.
Reports indicate that one man was heard yelling at the group of young supporters, with others calling for security. Brandi Kruse, a reporter credited with organizing the protest, told Fox News Digital that some fans were relentlessly booing the girls.
An additional video circulating online purportedly shows a Storm supporter spitting in the direction of a Fever fan following Indiana's 105-95 victory, though this incident has not been officially corroborated.
The controversy also involved Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton, who was accused by the young fans of calling them "f***ing insane." In response, Keaton was fined and banned from attending the team's next five home games. A spokesperson for the Storm issued an apology regarding the incident.
One of the young fans involved stated that they were "not being hateful" and suggested that others should "work on being more kind to people, even though our opinions differ." The fans were reportedly excited to attend the game, with one being seen crying at halftime due to the confrontations.
Sophie Cunningham herself addressed the incident on social media, stating, "I truly believe there is a safe space and love for EVERYBODY. Biological girls, biological boys, trans women, and trans men. Everyone is welcome at my table!" She added, "You can disagree and still be kind. Bravo to those girls for standing up for what they believe." Cunningham also called the co-owner's alleged behavior "truly embarrassing."
Prior to the game, a rally was held outside Climate Pledge Arena in support of Cunningham and to promote statewide initiatives that would bar transgender students from participating in girls' athletics in Washington schools.
When asked about the rally and Cunningham's comments, Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White deferred to a team public relations representative, who stated, "Neither our organization nor Sophie had any knowledge of this demonstration and no contact with its organizers. Our only goal as a team, whether at home or away, is to win basketball games and make Fever fans for life, and we are united in that mission."